A couple of weeks before Christmas, my husband and I were able to meet for lunch while the kids were at school. This is one of my favorite things about this stage of parenting. Day-dates are the best!
As we ate yummy food at our favorite restaurant, we began talking about our plans for 2018. We have several home related projects we want to complete and prioritizing those to match our budget involves some strategy. And, as we looked towards the future, it struck us both that in a little over 4 years our oldest child will be graduating from high school. I’m pretty sure when our waitress came over to check on us she was wondering why this cheerful, happy couple was suddenly sitting there looking pained.
That’s when the conversation began to shift. And we realized that maybe we’ve been a bit too focused on the wrong things. You see, we’re responsible sort of people. We try to make good, wise choices. We save and plan and invest and stay out of debt and give generously. We work hard, take care of our home, coach teams, volunteer at school, help with homework. We’re doers.
But, somewhere along the line I think that we’ve been so careful about being so careful, we’ve begun to run the risk of going through our lives with something missing.
Something called…adventure.
So, as we were finishing our lunch, I looked at the love of my life and said, “I think our family needs more adventure in 2018. I think it’s great to want to finish house projects but we are running out of time with these kids and we need to fill these years with as many memories as possible. We need to take risks and laugh big and see more of the world. We will never regret inviting more adventure into our lives and if that means I don’t get new counters for awhile then so be it.”
And I watched as my adventure-loving husband’s eyes lit up with a sparkle I hadn’t really seen there in awhile. He said, “Well, I was actually thinking about how fun it would be to go on a snowmobile excursion while we’re in Central Oregon after Christmas.”
To which I replied, “BOOK IT!”
December 28 we woke up very early and made our way to the base of Mt. Bachelor where we were to begin our snowmobile adventure. I’d never driven one but I have driven many an SUV and also a jet ski so I thought I knew what to expect. For the sake of weight distribution, my son was to sit behind me and my daughter and husband would be on the other snowmobile.
After some instructions and a few test runs we were off!
And, friends, let me just tell you, I don’t think I even realized just how much I truly needed more adventure in my life until I was flying over the snow listening to my teenage son laughing in the seat behind me as we weaved our way through some of the most beautiful landscape I’ve ever seen.
In all of the everydayness of mom life, I had forgotten just how much I love trying something new….and going really fast!
There were these moments when we would find ourselves on a perfectly flat path lined with trees and we were able to just let the snowmobiles run and boy did I ever take advantage of it. I even impressed the 14 year old which scored me some cool mom points.
And, when one hour into our adventure, the guide led us higher and higher until he found the perfect overlook, we had the chance to just stop and marvel at the absolute majesty of the mountain and soak in the beauty of this perfect moment in time.
When our two hours were up, all I could think about was what a memory we had just made and how one adventure makes you thirsty for more adventures.
And about how while there is so much in our lives that we can’t control, so many areas where we have to be responsible…the jobs and the homework and the housework and all of the life stuff…what we CAN control is how we approach all of that in between time.
Our kids are at ages now where it is easier than ever to open the world to them and I’m pretty sure that they would rather experience all that life has to offer than have a bathroom makeover. That’s not to say that we won’t be trying to tackle that too, but it just simply isn’t as big of a priority for us right now.
There will be lots of time in the future for beautiful rooms.
But, times like these? Just the four of us exploring this beautiful world we live in?
We won’t have that forever. So, that’s my dream for 2018.
More us.
More fun.
More exploring.
More laughing.
More adventure.
More of it all.
And, what about you, are you making plans for more adventure in your life this year? What is one thing you want to do? I’d love to hear about it!
Thank you for meeting me at the fence today sweet friends,
What an adventure! I grew up in Central Oregon and know the beauty of that area – especially in winter. I’m so glad you and your family are planning adventures because your kids will grow up faster than you know and you will never regret these outings with them. They will remember for the rest of their lives and will always treasure the time you had together.
~Adrienne~
This is what life is all about! I’m a firm believer in adventures with your family. My children have grown up, became parents and some grandparents, which makes us great grandparents, which is an adventure in and of itself!! But if I leave nothing for my family, it is believing in adventures. As long as I’m able, I will go along with their adventures. And yes, there is plenty of time for new counter tops, etc. The newness of them wears of pretty quickly, but reminiscing with your family will never get old.
Beautifully said!
That is exciting that you able to do those kind of adventures with your children! My husband and I are at the point in our lives where our children are grown up and on their own so its just us to take on those adventures. But with a limited budget we are very limited on what we can do.It can be very hard to find things to do that cost little to no money! It can be a little discourageing when we have worked so hard to get to this place.
Enjoy your time with your children ! They do grow up fast1
Yes, make memories while your children are still young! You will never regret those fun times! We did with our three children and now they are having adventures with their children! My husband and I are hoping to go to Nashville and Memphis, TN this spring or fall!
Living life!!!!
This was a great story and encouragement. I am hoping that my 3 siblings, their spouses, me (I’m single) and a friend can take a cruise together this coming year. We have talked about it but not made any firm plans.
Awww what a great time and so look forward to 2018
This just makes me love you more!!
Cheers to more adventures.
xo Shannon
Awww…love you back friend!! xoxo
Love it, Vanessa! Sounds like such a fun time! I have a feeling you’re inspiring everyone to ponder priorities. I know I am! My blogging career means projects are a priority but not so much so that it should mean less “life”. It’s time to re-prioritize some things. Thanks for planting the seed!
Your adventure, Vanessa, sounds thrilling and beautiful and memory making for sure!! You are so wise to grab every minute you can to play with your kids and enjoy these years to the fullest!! It sure was fun to see you at the wedding. I would have loved more time to visit with you. Blessings to you and your sweet family in this new year. May the Lord bring to you opportunities for adventure with both big and little windows of time and resources. Savor the moments! ❤️
Oh thank you so much Donna! It was so wonderful to see you too and I would have loved to have more time to visit as well. It was a beautiful day and I was honored to be included! Thank you for your kind words of support and encouragement. I’m definitely trying to savor the moments! Blessings to you in the new year! xoxo
I love this, and you are absolutely, totally prioritizing the right things. My husband has been dealing with an illness since 2010 and that means that the whole family has dealt with it. It has been, at times, overwhelming…and awful. There have been very few moments of joy in those years and before my very eyes…..my sons have grown and it is time I can never get back. My husband, for the most part, doesn’t even remember those years. When I look at pictures of the kids, he has no recollection of them being that young or small and for many of those years my husband couldn’t even carry on a conversation. Working, earning money….keeping a roof over our head was my obligation and I missed so many moments. Last year at Christmas my husband had a horrible return of the illness and another year went by with no adventure…very little laughter…and another year of time passing without making memories with my sons. This Christmas, we were able to take some baby steps, we went to the movies (which was almost impossible for years) and had an amazing time….just a little thing…a movie…but a memory. We also went out for New Year’s….my first time ever….my sons first time ever…and my husband was with us…and while it was cold (3 degrees) it was an adventure…..small, small adventure but priceless….God is so Good! Thanks for bringing a smile to my face…and tears to my eyes…. BIG HUGS.
Oh Mary Beth! I knew that your husband had health issues but had NO idea the full extent of it all. I’m so very sorry for what you’ve had to endure all of these years and I truly cannot imagine how you’ve held it all together. I know it’s by the grace of God! Missing out on what seems like everyone else gets to enjoy (even simple things like going to the movies) must feel like such a sense of loss and yet I truly believe that the legacy you are leaving your sons of being faithful and committed through the hardest of times is one that they will take with them into their own families someday. The small adventures can be HUGE when they are hard fought for and I pray that you will have more moments like those in this coming year. You are an amazing wife and mother and I’m honored to call you friend! Love to you!
Good for you!!! Cheers to all the adventures that we will have with our family and the priceless memories created! Love your heart Vanessa.
Yes, spend time doing things with your family. They will be grown up and gone before you know it!
We went snowmobiling a few years ago in Jackson Hole. Loved every minute of it and it was 11 degrees and snow blowing sideways the first day.